The United Nations in Zambia expresses its deep sorrow at the death of three children, aged as young as eleven years old, in Zambia’s Luapula Province on Saturday during a mining accident.
“We are profoundly saddened to hear of the death of these three children, in circumstances where they appeared to be working in a manganese mine,” said Ms Janet Rogan, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia. “No child should be forced to work. Child labour is preventable, not inevitable. Every child should be free to enjoy their rights to education, protection and recreation. Every child has the right to a childhood, and to receive protection from unsafe environments. Children need to be removed immediately from the worst forms of child labour and provided with care and education.”
The United Nations family in Zambia offers its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed, and pledges continued support to the Government of Zambia to improve education, child protection, labour standards and economic development. Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 which provides that States take “immediate and effective measures to…secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
UNDP, UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO) work in Zambia to improve conditions for children and young people, and enhance labour laws, regulation and work place protection. Last week, UNODC launched a new project in Zambia to combat trafficking in persons including those involved forced labour and sex trafficking.
I never knew UN officials can also be bribed until I saw this lady’s UN report on zambia 2016 elections. She was paid to giv a false report. Welcome to Africa Madam Rogan. African leaders are skilled at corruption and bribing. That’s one way of hw they manage to stay long in power. U are not trustworthy madam.so I wonder if wat u are saying u mean it.
I didn’t hear about that 3 kids died in Luapula mines?
Was it in Chitotela’s mine?
So why is there no national mourning?
This is how a country with no clear labor laws operates. Lungu and his PF clueless gang don’t know how to protect children from such needless tragedies. Put up clear labor laws and require companies to post labor laws in their offices and public places. Anyone below the age of 18 should not be working in a mine. Also fine heavily and send to prison people who are using child labor in their companies. Randomly inspect work-sites to see what’s going on. Encourage people to be whistleblowers. Provide a labor department phone number so concerned citizens can report on companies breaking labor laws. Ask for anonymous tips. Lungu and your minions, get serious and protect our children from getting exploited.
Why haven’t we heard about this story?
It was among yesterdays stories (21/01/2019) Very tragic and a reflection of a dire social economic situation that a lot of families are facing. Politicians have not said much on this, yet it is significant in however way you look at it – more crucial than continually moving and swapping people in various positions or dreaming of a new airline and state house.